As Atlanta prepares to welcome visitors from around the world for the FIFA World Cup, one international creator is sharing his first-hand experience discovering the city and American culture for the first time.
Tommy known as @TommyDMO on social media platforms , a popular content creator from the United Kingdom, recently visited Atlanta and joined The Kevin and Taylor’s Feel Good Morning Show to talk about his experience exploring the city, trying local food and seeing how Southern hospitality compares to life back home.
For Tommy, one of the biggest surprises was something many Atlantans may take for granted: the friendliness of strangers.
“I think the thing that struck me most is that Southern hospitality is a real thing,” Tommy said. “People are polite. People say, good morning, sir. How are you, sir? People say hello to you in the street.”
He explained that while he expected some differences between the United States and the UK, experiencing that kindness firsthand was something that stood out. Tommy said Atlanta felt more welcoming compared with other major U.S. cities he had previously visited, including Los Angeles, New York and Miami.
During his trip, Tommy also explored Atlanta’s food scene and shared a few restaurants he would bring back with him to the UK if he could.
One of his top choices was South City Kitchen in Midtown, where he tried a classic Southern dish: shrimp and grits.
Tommy admitted he did not know what to expect before trying it, but the meal quickly changed his opinion.
“I thought it was a very basic dish. I didn’t really have necessarily high hopes for it, but yeah, amazing,” he said.
He also mentioned Magic City for its famous wings, specifically praising the lemon pepper flavor and saying it stood out compared with what he typically finds in the UK.
Beyond restaurants, Tommy also enjoyed one of Atlanta’s most recognizable breakfast spots, Waffle House. As a father of two daughters, he said he could see his family enjoying the experience.
“I would sit in there every Saturday morning if we had it here,” Tommy said.
With thousands of international visitors expected in Atlanta for the World Cup, Tommy also offered advice for locals meeting fans from overseas. He said British football fans can be very passionate, especially during major events.
He explained that loud singing, chanting and celebrations are often part of football culture in the UK and should not necessarily be viewed as a concern.
As Atlanta prepares for a global spotlight, Tommy’s experience highlights the city through the eyes of someone discovering it for the first time. From the people to the food, he said Atlanta left a memorable impression.
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